Health campaign

France reviews increasing cigarette prices to €12 per pack

The government has also said it intends to index tobacco prices to inflation

France aspires to take helm as leading European country in healthcare

Centres of excellence will work in partnership with universities

Self-medication shown to be widespread in France posing health risks

Up to a third of patients admit to changing their prescription medication dosage or duration despite the risks involved, a report reveals

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France moves to tackle growing problem of childhood obesity

Overweight and obese children have become a major public health problem in recent years, said France’s social security provider

Petition calls for ban on children’s junk food ads in France

A consumer association in France has launched a petition to ban junk food advertising to children on TV and the internet, in a bid to beat childhood obesity.

Warmer weather brings early pollen allergy alerts for most of France

The risk level is high in many areas and experts warn those with sensitivities to take particular care

Why GPs in France are on strike and will doctor ‘no-shows’ be charged?

Negotiations with France’s national health body the Assurance maladie have also broken down

French GPs list seven ‘useless or insulting’ tasks they have to do

An open letter of 200 GPs has said that simplifying the system would save millions and free up hundreds of thousands of GP consultation slots per day at a time of shortages

France issues warning over using diabetes medication to lose weight

It follows a TikTok trend promoting two antidiabetic drugs for weight loss

Health crisis: New residence permits for healthcare workers in France?

A new carte de séjour category will be considered by parliament as part of the government’s immigration bill, in a bid to help recruit hospital staff

What’s coming up? The week ahead in France

Trial begins over 2009 Rio-Paris plane crash, MPs debate the proposed 2023 budget, new exhibition opens at the Louvre, French architecture celebrated and more

Breast cancer: Who can get free screenings in France?

We recap the rules for free screenings and answer some of the most common questions about the mammogram and screening process for this Pink October

Older people should be prescribed free sport, says French minister

The sports minister said that improving activity levels helps to ‘roll back loss of autonomy’ and that GPs should prescribe club access

First ladies of France and Ukraine discuss child cancer initiative

The two met in New York this week. They also talked about how Ukrainian children in France are adapting

Women in France invited to report menstrual issues after Covid vaccine

A nationwide assessment of reports is underway with more than 10,000 already received from people who received the Pfizer and Moderna jabs

French boy, 12, who inspired a song finally receives heart transplant

Rémi from Toulouse, who is now recovering in hospital, had been waiting for a donor heart for 14 months

Oxfordshire-Dordogne: ‘we’re cycling 700km for motor neuron disease’

A team of four plan a charity bike ride in memory of a close family member who died from the incurable condition in 2020

Minister brings back old Levothyrox as crisis grows

The growing crisis over a new formulation for thyroid drug Levothyrox has forced authorities to bring back the old drug pending further investigation.

French Levothyrox case forced to open in concert hall

A Lyon court hearing into the ongoing case of controversial thyroid medication Levothyrox has opened in a concert hall after the city’s Palais de Justice proved too small to host the 4,113 plaintiffs present.

French Levothyrox inquiry now includes manslaughter

The French inquiry into the controversial new formula of thyroid drug Levothyrox has been widened to include the charge of “involuntary homicide”, or manslaughter, after the death of a woman.

New France-UK study finds Levothyrox ‘not equivalent’

A new study into the controversial “new formula” of thyroid medication Levothyrox has found that the two formulas are in fact “not equivalent” for all patients, in contrast to previous claims.

Colorectal cancer tests now available free at home in France

People aged 50-74 can order the tests online for home delivery every two years. The cancer causes 17,000 deaths per year but has a 90% survival rate when caught early

Charcuterie professionals hail new proposed law cutting nitrite-levels

Butchers say they have planned ahead and launched low nitrite-level products. The World Health Organization classes ingested nitrite as a potential cause of cancer

New online health space: What it changes for residents in France

As the new Mon espace santé website begins its official rollout today, we answer key questions on how you login to your space, and who else will have access

Dentistry, glasses: How to benefit from France’s 100% Santé scheme

Many treatments and medical equipment are free for people with top-up health insurance, including hearing aids

Appeal for bone-marrow donors to save three-year-old French boy

Joseph’s parents have taken to social media to appeal for donors who can help with the treatment of their son’s leukemia

President Macron launches French campaign against endometriosis

New national funding will be allocated to improve awareness, diagnosis and research into effective care treatments of the debilitating condition that affects 1 in 10 women

French blood service encourages donations through MissingType campaign

The campaign asks people to consider life without the letters A, B and O - different blood types - to show how important they are

Antibiotic use in France dropped by almost 20% over Covid crisis

Health authorities have hailed the drop as a good thing, after years of campaigning to reduce excess use of antibiotics in the country

Almost quarter of people in France drink more alcohol than recommended

Santé publique France advises that people do not drink more than 10 units of alcohol per week, but found that a significant percentage regularly exceeds that amount

Health experts concerned by effects of Covid on winter illnesses

Seasonal viruses expected to be more prevalent this year, due to lower circulation last year and communal drop in immunity, as Covid barrier gestures fall by the wayside

Safe to get Covid and flu jabs together says French health authority

French National Authority for Health (HAS) confirms getting both vaccines at the same appointment poses no danger and has added benefit of helping you avoid any delays

France could approve Pfizer vaccine for under 12s by end of this year

Covid vaccine producers Pfizer/BioNTech have published results of its trials showing their vaccine is ‘safe’ for children aged 5-11, and are seeking approval to use it in Europe

Walk-in Covid vaccinations at shopping centres in France this weekend

Temporary sites are being set up to make it easy to get a jab and no appointments are needed

Self-testing Covid kits on sale in France: What you need to know

The kits are now in pharmacies and are to be used by asymptomatic people aged 15 and over. Any positive result must be confirmed by a PCR test

France Covid-19: Online vaccine reservations open this week

From Thursday January 14, those aged 75 and over will be able to book appointments for Covid vaccinations online and by telephone

First results of France’s mass Covid testing trial revealed

Over six days, 11% of the population in le Havre was tested for Covid 19. Now researchers are explaining the results

Covid vaccinations in France to begin on Sunday

Vaccines approved by EU authorities will now be securely delivered to France so vaccination can begin in care homes at the end of the week

High-risk patients in France hit by vital medicine shortages

Many vital treatments are in short supply across Europe, with shortages in France are six times higher this year than 2016

France to extend state of health emergency amid record cases

The vote was passed 71-35 and will now go to the Senate, as the country reports another record number of cases in 24 hours

Too many users impact launch of new French Covid app

France’s new contact tracing app was relaunched yesterday (October 22)

France welcomes EU’s new coordinated Covid risk map

The map will be colour-coded by risk level from green to red, and will be updated by the EU each week

Two million extra flu doses ordered in France

A total of 16 million doses have been ordered in France - two million more than previous years, amid ongoing rising cases.

Lego wanted to help make wheelchair ramps in eastern France

The plastic bricks will be used to help make ramps for people who use wheelchairs; it takes 1,600 bricks to make one ramp.

Getting a breast cancer scan in France: FAQs

Did you know that women aged 50-74 and living in France are eligible for a free breast cancer screening every two years, even without symptoms or any risk factors? We explain.

Macron: France ‘will adopt 5G’ as a ‘country of innovation’

France “will adopt” 5G and will continue to be a “country of innovation”, French President Emmanuel Macron has said, hitting back at critics of the new technology who would rather an “Amish model”, he said.

Possible outbreak of dengue fever in Nice

Health authorities in the southern city of Nice are warning of a possible outbreak of native dengue fever spread by tiger mosquitoes after two cases were confirmed. Around a dozen others are suspected.

Why France is encouraging you to have a ‘flu jab this winter

France is encouraging people to get a ‘flu vaccination this winter as an “indirect weapon” against Covid-19, in a bid to avoid overloading the health system by reducing the severity of the usual seasonal ‘flu epidemic.

Masks in Paris: Rules for eating, smoking and exercise

Masks are now obligatory in public places in Paris - but what does this mean for eating, smoking, running and cycling? We explain.

Covid-19: How to stay healthy this summer in France

New videos have been released by French health authorities reminding people to maintain hygiene and social distancing measures this summer, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Masks mandatory in Paris’ 'highly visited' areas from today

Paris and other departments in Ile-de-France have made mask-wearing mandatory in busy public places from 8:00 this morning (August 10) following increases in cases of coronavirus.

Masks mandatory outdoors in more places in France from today

Masks are now obligatory in all public places - even outdoors - for everyone 11 and over in 69 communes in the department of Mayenne (Pays de la Loire), plus some places in Lille, Nice, and the Nord department.

France confirms where masks are mandatory from tomorrow

France has issued a partial list of “indoor, enclosed” places in which masks are to become obligatory from tomorrow (Monday July 20), alongside further recommendations of how to wear a mask safely and effectively.

When, where and how to get tested for coronavirus in France

The French government wants to make Covid-19 tests more accessible and get more people taking them to prevent a further increase of cases in France. We explain when to get tested, where to get tested, and which type of test to take if necessary.

Coronavirus circulation higher in France since deconfinement

Factors suggesting that the virus is circulating at a higher rate include a rising R number and an increase in the number of people per month calling medical helpline SOS Médecins with Covid-19-related queries.

Top doctor: French are 'abandoning' Covid-19 protections

Barrier gestures that prevent the spread of Covid-19 are being “abandoned” in France, according to Professor Jean François Delfraissy, head of the government’s scientific advisory body Le Conseil Scientifique .

Covid-19 research is ‘badly hit’ by French DNA testing ban

Moves to end France’s ban on private DNA tests have failed in parliament, leading to claims that MPs have hamstrung research into Covid-19.

Trial resumes for French slimming drug Mediator

A trial into the deaths of hundreds of people in France suspected to have been caused by weight-loss drug Mediator, has resumed after an 11-week pause due to confinement.

More than 1 million use French StopCovid app

One million people in France have downloaded and activated the smartphone app StopCovid, designed to help track and trace Covid-19 infections in France, which became available on June 2.

Post-Covid-19: the future of health services in France

An ‘urgent’ two-month consultation into the future of health services in France in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic has been launched.

How to get tested for Coronavirus

The official state health emergency has been extended until July 10, plus when and how to get tested for Coronavirus.

French Covid-19 death stats may not show full picture

The number of deaths from Covid-19 reported in France could be underestimating the real impact of the virus in the country, figures from national statistics institute Insee have suggested.

Stage 3 Covid-19 epidemic ‘inevitable’ in France

France is moving “inevitably towards stage three” of coronavirus Covid-19 - meaning a full-blown epidemic - the director of health has said, as 16 deaths and almost 1,000 cases are confirmed.

Covid-19 in France: First cases in Nord and Corsica

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus Covid-19 in France has reached 285, with four people dead, and the Nord department and Corsica confirming their first cases today (Thursday March 5).

French lack of hygiene puts public at risk of Covid-19

French people could be at high risk of viral infections “in the context of coronavirus (Covid-19)” due to a lack of good hygiene practices, a new poll has suggested.

France sends third plane to Wuhan to pick up citizens

France has sent a third plane to Wuhan in China, to bring home remaining French and European nationals from the Covid-19-stricken city.

French medical cannabis trial sparks market battle

Tensions are rising between European companies, Canadian firms and French producers as France prepares to allow imports of cannabis-based medical treatments on a trial basis later this year.

Antibiotics prescribed less but still over-used

Use of antibiotics is reducing – but France remains the third largest European user in terms of population size after Greece and Cyprus.

What you need to know about coronavirus

What is it? How does it spread? And can you catch it from parcels delivered to an address in France from China

Coronavirus: More suspected cases in France

Chinese New Year celebrations in Paris and Bordeaux cancelled amid concern over virus

Gastro epidemic worse in France as ‘flu ‘pre-epidemic’

Gastroenteritis is now present across the whole of France, with Grand Est, Occitanie and Nouvelle Aquitaine the most affected regions so far - as cases of ‘flu and bronchiolitis also spread.

France ‘pre-epidemic’ for ‘flu as ‘gastro’ spreads

Four regions in France are in a “pre-epidemic” state for ‘flu, health authority Santé Publique France has warned, while digestive condition gastroenteritis has been confirmed in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

French court allows mayor pesticide ban for first time

A French court has rejected a request from departmental authorities to cancel two mayoral anti-pesticide decrees for the first time.

Second case of native dengue confirmed in France

Another case of native dengue fever has been confirmed in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, just one month after the first ever case was reported.

France issues list of non-reimbursed homeopathy drugs

The full list of homeopathic and herbal medicines that will no longer be reimbursed by the French State from January 1, 2021, has been published.